Many other farmers, ranchers, and businessmen from all over the county
contributed to the success of Coleman’s first rodeo. The rodeo became an
annual event with the first rodeos being held on the Coleman High School
football field. As the rodeo grew in popularity and the rodeo club
grew in numbers, the need for a bigger and better facility spurred the
organization into action.

In 1947, what is now known as the Coleman Rodeo Association purchased
a tract of land and built one of the best outdoor facilities in the southwest.
Annually, since 1948, the Coleman Rodeo Association has sponsored a Professional
Rodeo Cowboy’s Association-approved rodeo. Many of the top names
among rodeo contestants, stock contractors, clowns, announcers, specialty
acts, and personalities have appeared. In 1936, the rodeo featured
trick and fancy roping by Gus Newton, who had been with the Tom Mix Circus,
besides matched calf roping between Juan Salinas and Ted Powers.
In 1937, Juan Salinas returned for matched roping against Tom Taylor.
They began street dances after the rodeos, using a six-piece orchestra.
In 1951, Wild Bill Elliot, Movie Star, was the specialty act.

There were a few other square dances on horseback, but none that performed
at the speed of the Coleman Rodeo Association’s Mounted Quadrille during
1940 and 1941. The Quadrille was made up of eight couples, sometimes
separating to form two squares of four couples each to perform intricate
maneuvers. These maneuvers were given to the riders and the spectators
alike in a singsong voice by the caller, Mr. Emmitt Miller of Coleman,
Texas. Besides being a necessary part of the Quadrille, the caller
and music added to the excitement and enjoyment of the square dance on
horseback. The group was invited to perform at the Brady July Jubilee
Rodeo, for the soldiers stationed at Camp Bowie, in Brownwood, and at the
Santa Anna Rodeo. One year, at the Coleman Rodeo, Quadrille members
served as attendants at a wedding on horseback in the arena, witnessed
by a crowd of five thousand people.

That group of nine which met in 1936 has grown into more than 100 members
who take particular pride in 3 specific accomplishments: 1) The continuing
production of a top quality professional rodeo. 2) The maintenance of an
excellent facility used not only for rodeos, but also livestock and horse
shows, 4-H training events, county fairs, and a meeting place for other
county events. 3) The selection each year of the Coleman Rodeo Queen, a
young lady to serve as the association’s goodwill ambassador for Coleman
County.